Thermal and Radiation Injuries

Thermal and Radiation Injuries

Thermal and Radiation Injuries

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Overview & Types - Injury Spectrum

Ocular thermal and radiation injuries result from exposure to extreme temperatures or various forms of radiation, leading to a wide range of damage.

  • Thermal Injuries:
    • Flame burns: Direct contact with fire.
    • Scald burns: Hot liquids/steam.
    • Contact burns: Hot objects (e.g., curling irons, molten metal).
    • Electrical burns: Passage of electrical current.
  • Radiation Injuries:
    • Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation: Photokeratitis (e.g., welder's flash, snow blindness).
    • Infrared (IR) Radiation: Glassblower's cataract, retinal burns.
    • Ionizing Radiation: (X-rays, gamma rays) Cataract, retinopathy, dry eye.

Injury Spectrum:

  • Superficial: Conjunctival hyperemia, corneal epithelial defects.
  • Moderate: Stromal edema, uveitis, partial-thickness scleral/corneal burns.
  • Severe: Corneal opacification, full-thickness burns, globe perforation, retinal damage, cataract formation, phthisis bulbi.

⭐ UV radiation primarily affects the cornea and conjunctiva, causing photokeratitis, while IR radiation is more associated with cataract formation (glassblower's cataract).

Chemical Burns - Alkali & Acid Attack

  • Alkali Burns: More severe (liquefactive necrosis, saponification). E.g., Lime ($Ca(OH)_2$ - common), $NaOH$, $NH_3$. Deeper penetration.
  • Acid Burns: Generally less severe (coagulative necrosis). E.g., $H_2SO_4$, $HCl$. ⚠️ HF is an exception (acts like alkali).
  • Prognosis: Limbal ischemia (key factor). Grading: Roper-Hall or Dua classification.

    ⭐ Alkali burns are more dangerous due to rapid penetration and saponification of cell membrane lipids.

  • Management Principles:
    • Immediate: Copious irrigation (water/RL/NS, ≥ 2L or 30 mins, target pH 7.0-7.4).
    • Medical: Topical steroids (↓inflammation), cycloplegics (↓pain), antibiotics, topical citrate. Systemic: Vitamin C, Doxycycline (anti-collagenase).
    • Surgical: Amniotic membrane transplant (AMT), limbal stem cell transplant (LSCT), keratoplasty. Severe ammonia burn with limbal ischemia

True Thermal & UV Injuries - Heat & Light Zaps

  • Thermal Burns (Heat): Direct tissue coagulation from flame/flash.
    • Eyelids: Erythema, blisters, eschar. Late: ectropion, entropion.
    • Cornea: Epithelial defects, stromal haze, potential perforation.
    • Management: Immediate copious irrigation, topical antibiotics, cycloplegics, lubrication. Amniotic membrane for severe burns. Corneal opacity from thermal burn
  • UV Keratitis (Photokeratitis/Welder's Flash): UV-B absorption by corneal epithelium.
    • Symptoms: Delayed onset (6-12 hrs), severe pain, photophobia, foreign body sensation, tearing.
    • Signs: Conjunctival injection, diffuse punctate epithelial erosions (PEE) in interpalpebral zone.
    • Management: Cycloplegics, topical NSAIDs, lubrication. Prophylactic antibiotics if large defect. Resolves 24-72 hrs.

    ⭐ UV keratitis classically presents with a 6-12 hour latency period after exposure, with diffuse punctate epithelial erosions on fluorescein staining.

IR & Ionizing Radiation - Deep Damage Rays

  • Infrared (IR) Radiation (Longer Wavelengths):
    • Sources: Molten glass/metal, intense sunlight.
    • Mechanism: Thermal; deep tissue heating.
    • Lens: True exfoliation of anterior capsule, "Glassblower's cataract" (PSC).
    • Retina: Macular burns (solar retinopathy).
    • Prevention: IR-protective eyewear.
  • Ionizing Radiation (X-rays, Gamma rays):
    • Sources: Radiotherapy, accidental exposure.
    • Mechanism: DNA damage, free radicals; affects dividing cells.
    • Lens: Most radiosensitive. Radiation cataract (PSC).
      • Threshold: 2 Gy (single), 5 Gy (fractionated).
      • Latency: Months to years.
    • Retina: Radiation retinopathy (ischemia, neovascularization).
      • Threshold: 30-35 Gy.
    • Other: Dry eye, keratitis, optic neuropathy.
    • Management: Shielding, dose fractionation, treat complications.

⭐ The lens is the most radiosensitive ocular structure to ionizing radiation; cataracts (PSC) can develop after 2 Gy.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • UV keratitis (photokeratitis): Severe pain, SPK after 6-12 hour latent period (welding, snow blindness).
  • Infrared radiation (glassblowers): Classically causes true exfoliation of anterior lens capsule and heat-induced cataract.
  • Ionizing radiation (radiotherapy): Can induce delayed radiation retinopathy, cataracts, and severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye).
  • Thermal eyelid burns: Frequently result in cicatricial ectropion or entropion, leading to exposure keratopathy.
  • Corneal thermal burns: Cause immediate coagulative necrosis and opacification; prognosis depends on burn depth and area.

Practice Questions: Thermal and Radiation Injuries

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Blunt trauma is associated with _____ cataract and vossius ring

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